Improvement in show-cases



E. R. age. W. LEE.

SHOW-CASE.

Patented Aug-.1,1876'.

I. IIIEIIII V Wmw,

PL PETER-S, PHOTO-UTHOGRAFHER. WASHINGTON- casesof any dimensions desired.

EDWIN R. LEE ,AND GEORGE W.

LEE, or WEBSTER orrv, IOWA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SHOW-CASES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 180,605, dated August 1, 1876; application filed March 2, 1876.

, To all whom "it may concern Be it known that we, EDWIN It. LEE and GEORGE W. LEE, of ebster (Jity, in the county of Hamilton and State of Iowa, have invented an Improved Show-Case, of which the following is a specification:

The object of our invention is to facilitate business transactions by furnishing a counter show-case constructed in such a manner that a salesman in rear of the counter can readily unlock and open the front of the case, and allow a customer access to select and withdraw the article wanted. It consists in a revolving front secured and operated in a case, as hereinafter fully set forth.

Figure 1 of our drawing is a transverse section and plan view of our show-case, and illustrates its construction and operation. Fig.

12 is a perspective view of the complete case,

showing the front open as required to allow a customer to select and take out a cigar, or such other article of merchandise as may be placed therein.

A represents the bottom and base of the case. B is the rear side, at right angles with the base, and joinedthereto in any suitable manner. It may be solid, with reflectors in side, or a frame and sash closed with transparent glass, and in hinged sections forming doors. 0 represents the flat top of the case at right angles with the rear side B. It is a frame or sash closed with glass and joined to and supported by the rear side B, and suitable ends and partitions. These three angular sides of the case may vary in size to form Preferably, they should be at right angles to each other, but their angles relative to each other may vary as desired to produce cases varying in configuration. D is our revolving front in the form of an are, representing a longitudinal section of a cylinder, and concentric with a pivotal point fixed in the bottom or ends of the case. It is a skeleton frame or sash closed with glass of corresponding form. It may be oval or flat. a is one of the. forked arms rigidly secured to the under side and end of the revolving front D. bis the pivotal point of the front D, where the lower end of the arm a is secured. It may be a rock-shaft, fixed in suit able bearings, rigidly connected with the arms a, or the ends of the arms may be perforated andsecured by a pivotal screw. 0 is a bell-crank pivoted in rear of the arms a. d is a link connecting the crank c and the arms a. g is a lever rigidly attached to the crank c, and extending rearward through a vertical slot in the rear side B. h is a notched plate and a looking device designed to secure the handle and lever g, and thereby lock the revolving door and front D when it is closed.

By freeing the lever g from the lock h, and hearing it down, the crank 0 will, by means of the connecting-link d, draw upon and turn backward the arms a, carrying the adjustable and revolving front section D. The case is thus readily opened by the operator in the rear to allow the customer, who is facing him, and is in front of the counter and case, to have access to the case. By this means the necessity of lifting out a number of articles from which to choose is avoided. The customer can see and reach and remove the identical cigar he may fancy, while the clerk looks on, and then instantly closes the case without being required to replace the articles. Misunderstandings, mistakes, and delays are prevented, andbusiness is thereby facilitated.

Any suitable lock may be used in place of onr'notched plate h.

We are awarethat revolving fronts have been used in desks, counters, and bins, and that they have been suspended with and carried by pivoted arms. But we claim that a show-case having a revolving front, so arranged in combination with operating mechanism that it can be opened and closed alternately by a person in rear of the case, is novel and greatly advantageous.

We do not confine ourselves to the particular construction of the operating mechanism, as, instead of the levers, a cord may be used, and the same end attained, one end being attached to the revolving front about midway of its length, and the cord extended rearwardly over a pulley in the case, and allowed to hang down outside'of the case within convenient reach of the operator or attendant.

We claim as our irlvention 1. A show-case having a revolving front,

operated from the rear of the ease by a lever ing and closing the case, substantially as and or levers, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A show-case having a revolving front fulcrumed therein upon arms a connected to a hell-crank or segmental lever, 0 g, by which the said front is moved in the are of a circle openfor the purpose set forth.

EDWIN R; LEE. GEORGE W. LEE.

Witnesses:

J. N. MEDBERY, D. LITTS. 

